Local Fishers

Maui

Fishers: Adam & Hano Wong

Boat Name: Mahie W.

Harbor: All Maui Harbors

Practices: Bottom Fishing, Trolling, Diving

Favorite way to eat ta’ape: Deep fried

Favorite Fish: Favorite to fish for: Onaga. Favorite for sashimi: aku. Favorite for fry: kole. Favorite sauteed and cooked fancy is mahimahi. LOL!

Adam K. Wong has been fishing recreationally since he was a kid, and “part-time” commercially for over 13 years.

“I love fishing because I love to give everyone fish 😊 ,” Adam said. “Giving fish to ʻohana and friends and seeing how much they enjoy fresh fish makes me love fishing.”

Fisher: Joseph Carvalho

Boat Name: Strike Zone

Harbor: Maʻalaea harbor

Practices: Nearshore bottom fishing charters for the past 17 years

Favorite way to eat ta’ape: Fried crispy with some chili pepper water to dip it in

Joseph Carvalho has been fishing commercially in the charter boat industry for almost 21 years. He says he loves eating fish because fishing is his passion.

“Eating the fish I catch is a little reward to all the hard work and preparation that goes into a trip,” Joseph said. “I am very excited to see more people using taʻape as a food source and being creative in their preparations of this fish.”

Joseph Carvalho fishing for taʻape

Hawaiʻi Island & Oʻahu

Fishers: Noah and Uncle Keoni AhChong

Boat Name: Līhau (Uncle Keoni’s granddaughter’s name)

Harbor: Hilo, Hawaiʻi

Practices: Trolling, hook and line, bottom fishing, ika shibi, trapping (no netting)

Favorite way to eat ta’ape: Fried (“We haven’t tried it any other way!)

Favorite Fish: Kole (but, only from a specific area)

The AhChongs have been fishing commercially off and on for 23 years. They say they love it because it puts food on the table and being in the ocean makes them feel relaxed and grounded.

“I love doing it and getting out on the water. Don’t know what will bite, it’s a mental game, especially for the ‘ahi. It’s a challenge to see how the fish moves and stay in front of them. Just being out there is good for everything.”